BANGOR – No John Bapst cheerleading team had ever been in this position before.

They were defending Class B state champions, but with six members gone from last season’s Class B title team and a lot of freshmen on the squad, they didn’t know how to act like defending champs.

Still, they did it anyway at Saturday afternoon’s Eastern Maine Class B regional championship at the Bangor Auditorium – by winning.

John Bapst did it in no-doubt style this time around as well with the highest score of the day – 143.9 points – and finished 7.4 ahead of runner-up and 2005 EM titleist Hermon. Four other teams qualified to compete at the Feb. 11 state finals in Augusta: Rockland (133.5), Caribou (132.9), Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln (130.9), and Waterville (129.0).

Even their routine served notice that the Crusaders were not treating last season’s run from fifth in regionals to first in states as a stroke of luck. The team cheer part of their routine contained this verse: “Maine state champs: Once is not enough!”

“That was kind of the girls’ idea, to make it clear it wasn’t a fluke,” said Bapst coach Jennifer Babcock. “It was something they worked hard for.

“They also feel like, even though they’re defending state champions, this is a new team with new members and they really want to prove they have what it takes to be winners.”

That becomes apparent when you talk to Bapst’s three first-year varsity juniors.

“I was kind of nervous about living up to the expectations we have now, but it’s been a really good year,” said Jana Craig.

“We have to have a lot of determination and willingness to work, but once you have that, it’s easier to get where you want to go,” added Alison Bromley.

Lauren Gray says the transition for the “rookies” on the squad was eased by most of them participating on the fall cheering team.

“We’re a really tight group and it takes awhile to get in synch, but we were all together for football season, so that really helps,” she said.

The junior trio’s other teammates are Kelly Allen, Katie Black, Brianne Cowan, Kaili Davis, Naomi Freeman, Melissa Glifort, Audra Lawrence, Megan McBurnie, Sara Moreshead, Kimberly Robertson, Ashlee Simpson, Sheila Toomey, and Alexandra Wright.

The Crusaders’ routine featured many stunts, including scorpion lifts, pyramids, and several throw-and-catch moves for the flyers as well as tumblers and an energetic, disco-themed dance number.

“This is a very motivated group, and I think that’s a key to their success,” Babcock said. “The girls actually want to constantly push for more difficulty, and I’m more conservative.”

They may have to keep pushing as the Hawks are breathing down their necks.

“We’re getting ready. We’re comin’ … with all we’ve got,” said seventh-year Hermon head coach Lisa Pratt, a transplant from Alabama who has led the team to three straight state-final appearances. “In years past, we’ve really just tried to organize a team that built their skills and it’s taken us about three years to get to this level.”

Pratt credits her team’s success Saturday to having the deepest squad in Eastern Maine when it comes to tumbling.

“We lost six seniors last year and we have a lot of freshman, but I think what brings Hermon up in the points is we have a lot of experienced tumblers,” said Pratt, who used nine of them Saturday. “If anything, I’ll add more tumblers and I can put 11 out there.”